Live data from Hacker News

Uruguay moves to legalize marijuana

csmonitor.com

11–20 of 70 posts

Re: Uruguay moves to legalize marijuana

#11
post #9
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The state will license and regulate private cannabis farms and then sell the marijuana at pharmacies Curious why this is troubling... I can understand arguments for limiting government regulation, but I'm okay with cannabis being regulated much like alcohol is. Does this go beyond that? I don't have much knowledge of the inner workings of alcohol regulation, so it's hard for me to compare.

Yes, alcohol is freely sold everywhere, the only restriction is for minors (under 18, not 21). There are worries about discrimination, and pharmacies telling who their customers are (since every sale is registered under your ID). For comparison, cigarettes and alcohol are anonymous (you might be asked to show an ID, but it's not stored anywhere).

Thanks for the reply.

> Yes, alcohol is freely sold everywhere

Don't stores need licenses to sell alcohol? Or are you comparing it as "any store with a liquor license" vs. "only pharmacies"? I can see that as being a bit restrictive, yeah.

> For comparison, cigarettes and alcohol are anonymous

Right, but that relates to your point about being required to register... I was just asking about concern over the first point (regulation). I agree that the registration isn't optimal.

Re: Uruguay moves to legalize marijuana

#12
post #11
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, alcohol is freely sold everywhere, the only restriction is for minors (under 18, not 21). There are worries about discrimination, and pharmacies telling who their customers are (since every sale is registered under your ID). For comparison, cigarettes and alcohol are anonymous (you might be asked to show an ID, but it's not stored anywhere).

Thanks for the reply. > Yes, alcohol is freely sold everywhere Don't stores need licenses to sell alcohol? Or are you comparing it as "any store with a liquor license" vs. "only pharmacies"? I can see that as being a bit restrictive, yeah. > For comparison, cigarettes and alcohol are anonymous Right, but that relates to your point about being required to register... I was just asking about concern over the first poin…

> Don't stores need licenses to sell alcohol?

Nope, they don't. You don't need a license to sell cigarettes either, both are free to sell here in Uruguay (always for people over 18).

Heck, the government has it's own brands of Whiskey and spirits ! (ANCAP sells those, both under the Ancap brand, and Mac Pay)

http://www.whisky.com.uy/marcas-de-whisky/mac-pay/

The government does want to introduce a license to sell alcohol, and a ban on selling alcohol in stores after 10 pm.

You can currently buy alcohol basically everywhere (supermarkets, stores, gas stations, kiosks), and there's a problem with the ban on underages not being respected.

Re: Uruguay moves to legalize marijuana

#13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

According to your depiction of Uruguayan parties the "Partido Nacional" is more centrist than the "Patido Colorado". I'm not sure if I agree with that.

Both are right-wing, and both contain centrist and more right-wing factions, but I do believe the Partido Colorado is more right wing. It's not always a bad thing, I for instance would like a harder stance on security. But they do have some very troubling individuals, and my family knows Dr. Pedro Bordaberry (the son of the one that led to the dictatorship, and current leader of the party) extremely well, and he is e…

I see your point. However I think that historically "Partido Nacional" is far more linked with typical right wing ideals and stereotypes. Anyway, I think we aren't adding much value with a political discussion about Uruguay here. I really liked your summary about the topic.

Re: Uruguay moves to legalize marijuana

#14
post #3

Well, I'm from Uruguay, so I'll be glad to answer any questions on the subject :) The bill was proposed by the governing left wing Broad Front coalition, and voted by all their congressmen. While the vote appears close, there was more consensus than is shown. My party (Partido Independiente, the smallest of the four represented) decided not to vote the whole bill, but only some parts, because they're for legalization…

I'm from Puerto Rico, supporter of the Sovereign Free Associated State, can you reference those two alternative papers you've mentioned? It gets harder and harder to find straight policy files. For example South Korea's recently combined new economic policies for economic development, they're mostly in bits and pieces throughout blogs.

Re: Uruguay moves to legalize marijuana

#15
post #7
post #3

Well, I'm from Uruguay, so I'll be glad to answer any questions on the subject :) The bill was proposed by the governing left wing Broad Front coalition, and voted by all their congressmen. While the vote appears close, there was more consensus than is shown. My party (Partido Independiente, the smallest of the four represented) decided not to vote the whole bill, but only some parts, because they're for legalization…

> The state will license and regulate private cannabis farms and then sell the marijuana at pharmacies Curious why this is troubling... I can understand arguments for limiting government regulation, but I'm okay with cannabis being regulated much like alcohol is. Does this go beyond that? I don't have much knowledge of the inner workings of alcohol regulation, so it's hard for me to compare.

The phrasing suggests that the state does the actual selling, which seems fundamentally broken. Regulate, sure, but don't become part of the market you're regulating.

Re: Uruguay moves to legalize marijuana

#16
post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The state will license and regulate private cannabis farms and then sell the marijuana at pharmacies Curious why this is troubling... I can understand arguments for limiting government regulation, but I'm okay with cannabis being regulated much like alcohol is. Does this go beyond that? I don't have much knowledge of the inner workings of alcohol regulation, so it's hard for me to compare.

The phrasing suggests that the state does the actual selling, which seems fundamentally broken. Regulate, sure, but don't become part of the market you're regulating.

That's how it works for alcohol in several countries, and while I don't think any of them have managed to show any actual benefits from doing it that way, it's also not a total disaster.

Re: Uruguay moves to legalize marijuana

#17
post #14
post #3

Well, I'm from Uruguay, so I'll be glad to answer any questions on the subject :) The bill was proposed by the governing left wing Broad Front coalition, and voted by all their congressmen. While the vote appears close, there was more consensus than is shown. My party (Partido Independiente, the smallest of the four represented) decided not to vote the whole bill, but only some parts, because they're for legalization…

I'm from Puerto Rico, supporter of the Sovereign Free Associated State, can you reference those two alternative papers you've mentioned? It gets harder and harder to find straight policy files. For example South Korea's recently combined new economic policies for economic development, they're mostly in bits and pieces throughout blogs.

I'll have to dig around, I had a hard time finding the text voted today, I believe it's this one

http://www.espectador.com/documentos/Marihuana.pdf

I'll ask my representative for the alternative text from my party, but I don't think I'll be able to get the other one.

They're bills, not scientific studies, I don't know if that's what you wanted :) .

Re: Uruguay moves to legalize marijuana

#18
post #3

Well, I'm from Uruguay, so I'll be glad to answer any questions on the subject :) The bill was proposed by the governing left wing Broad Front coalition, and voted by all their congressmen. While the vote appears close, there was more consensus than is shown. My party (Partido Independiente, the smallest of the four represented) decided not to vote the whole bill, but only some parts, because they're for legalization…

40g a month is a lot more than I thought that a government would go for. 28g is a ounce.

Re: Uruguay moves to legalize marijuana

#19
post #14
post #3

Well, I'm from Uruguay, so I'll be glad to answer any questions on the subject :) The bill was proposed by the governing left wing Broad Front coalition, and voted by all their congressmen. While the vote appears close, there was more consensus than is shown. My party (Partido Independiente, the smallest of the four represented) decided not to vote the whole bill, but only some parts, because they're for legalization…

I'm from Puerto Rico, supporter of the Sovereign Free Associated State, can you reference those two alternative papers you've mentioned? It gets harder and harder to find straight policy files. For example South Korea's recently combined new economic policies for economic development, they're mostly in bits and pieces throughout blogs.

Maybe this could help http://www.parlamento.gub.uy/repartidos/AccesoRepartidos.asp...

Its more 'official'

Edit: I'm not 100% sure this is what was efectively voted

Post reply on HN